Joe McConnell. Biography. Fighting. Photo.
Joe during the war with the Nazis was the navigator of bomber, flying over Europe - an unusual beginning for a man who went on to become the most outstanding American ace in the Korean conflict.
After the war with the Germans, McConnell was trained as a fighter pilot. The 51 th F1W (Fighter Wing) arrived at the end of 1952. After passing through the initial adaptation period, common for recruits, Joe quickly achieved success - during the period of the 33 of the day he won 5 wins.
His 8-th victory he won 12 April, but it was shot down, and then fell into the sea. Its time to save the helicopter, and after a time, he again fought. McConnell 6 for victories, which won for the 6 days, was awarded a purple stripe, he was soon sent to the United States. McConnell was 16 score victories in 106 departure was exactly equal to the bank wins Heinz Baer (during the period of World War II German jet fighter pilot). Joe earned the highest score in the Korean War on the "Sabre".
After returning to America McConnell was a military test pilot. But he was not destined to live long. Killed Joe 25.08.1954, not in the sky and on the ground in a car accident.